To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Reid Hartzoge
Date: July 2, 2001 Phone: (919) 733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ENDS NC HEALTH CHOICE ENROLLMENT FREEZE
Directs DHHS To Take The First 5,000 Children Off The Waiting List
RALEIGH—Gov. Mike Easley today announced that 5,000 children will be able to enroll in NC Health Choice—the State’s low-cost/no-cost health insurance program that has been frozen since January.
"There is no need to make these children wait when we can take action today that gets them enrolled quickly,” said Easley. "This is an extremely important program to North Carolina's working families. It ensures that many of our children who would not otherwise have insurance get the medical care they deserve."
"As many of you know, the House and Senate are not in total agreement on what next year's budget should look like. This is one area where there is no disagreement--children need health coverage," Easley said, referring to proposals in both the Senate and the House budgets to expand the program to 78,000 children.
When the program was frozen, 72,000 children were receiving benefits. As children left the program, they were not replaced, dropping the number of children receiving coverage to 57,000. The baseline budget allows the State to enroll 62,000 children; so 5,000 children can be added immediately.
Easley made the announcement at the Wake County Human Services Building, where he met with families and children who are currently on a waiting list to receive Health Choice benefits.
Beginning today, families on the waiting list will receive notice in the mail about how to enroll their children. Children will be enrolled in the order they were placed on the waiting list.
Health Choice was created in response to 1997 federal legislation called the Children's Health Insurance Program. Health Choice began enrolling children in October 1998.
NC Health Choice for Children is designed for working parents like contract employees; day care and nursing home workers and providers; state employees and entrepreneurs who work hard but cannot afford private insurance. -more-

Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Reid Hartzoge
Date: July 2, 2001 Phone: (919) 733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ENDS NC HEALTH CHOICE ENROLLMENT FREEZE
Directs DHHS To Take The First 5,000 Children Off The Waiting List
RALEIGH—Gov. Mike Easley today announced that 5,000 children will be able to enroll in NC Health Choice—the State’s low-cost/no-cost health insurance program that has been frozen since January.
"There is no need to make these children wait when we can take action today that gets them enrolled quickly,” said Easley. "This is an extremely important program to North Carolina's working families. It ensures that many of our children who would not otherwise have insurance get the medical care they deserve."
"As many of you know, the House and Senate are not in total agreement on what next year's budget should look like. This is one area where there is no disagreement--children need health coverage," Easley said, referring to proposals in both the Senate and the House budgets to expand the program to 78,000 children.
When the program was frozen, 72,000 children were receiving benefits. As children left the program, they were not replaced, dropping the number of children receiving coverage to 57,000. The baseline budget allows the State to enroll 62,000 children; so 5,000 children can be added immediately.
Easley made the announcement at the Wake County Human Services Building, where he met with families and children who are currently on a waiting list to receive Health Choice benefits.
Beginning today, families on the waiting list will receive notice in the mail about how to enroll their children. Children will be enrolled in the order they were placed on the waiting list.
Health Choice was created in response to 1997 federal legislation called the Children's Health Insurance Program. Health Choice began enrolling children in October 1998.
NC Health Choice for Children is designed for working parents like contract employees; day care and nursing home workers and providers; state employees and entrepreneurs who work hard but cannot afford private insurance. -more-